J.N. McCoy, O.L. Rowlan, & D.J. Becker, Echometer Co. & A.L. Podio, University of Texas
Throughout the world the most common method used to artificially produce wells is through the means of sucker rod lift. Low producing efficiencies caused by incomplete pump fillage is the most common operational problem experienced by these the sucker rod lifted wells. Incomplete pump fillage is the result of having a pump capacity that exceeds the production rate of the well or having poor gas separation at the pump intake and a portion of the pump capacity being lost to gas interference. More efficient operations and lower cost will result, if these wells are operated with a pump filled with liquid. To operate with a full pump requires the elimination of any gas interference in the pump and requires controlling pump run time so the pump displacement will match the inflow of liquid from the reservoir into the wellbore. Periodically the operator must monitor the wells operations to insure that the pump has no mechanical problems and efficient operations are maintained as all the available liquid is produced from the wellbore.